The American College of Legal Nurse Consulting
Frequently asked Questions and Responses (FAQs)
Welcome to the FAQs section for the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting. This area is provided to you as a source of information that may be more clarified, related to questions you may have in regards to our certification programs. Information regarding re-certification as well as information about our online continuing education courses, is also provided.
We highly recommend that you first thoroughly review all of the information on our website, under the main page for the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting. Access main page. If after reviewing all of the provided information and this FAQs section, any other questions may be addressed by completing our request for information form online (access info form). Thank you for your interest in the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting.
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What is Certification?
Response: certification is a voluntary process, which is provided by a well organized organization, that through its qualified advisory boards, develops comprehensive and quality standards for the practice of a type of specialty. The developed standards address high quality requirements for the practice of a certain specialty. The defined standards speak to educational and/or practice requirements, any required prerequisites, and the need to adhere to a defined code of ethics for the practice specialty. Certification is a voluntary process. It is different than any type of licensing. Certification is one means by which professionals may be publicly recognized as achieving a high level of education, knowledge base and practice skills for a certain healthcare related specialty. Certification also assists employer organizations and clients in their assessment of appropriate qualifications for candidates seeking positions in organizations and/or involved in private practices. It is commonly held, today, that certification by a very well organized professional organization, is fast becoming a "gold standard" for specialty practices. Certification testifies and provides a verification of defined educational requirements, adherence to a solid code of ethics, and in many instances prerequisites of practice experience for the practice of legal nurse consulting.
What are the criteria/standards I will need to meet to achieve certification?
Response: The educational criteria and standards are well and clearly defined within our website. Please access our main page to preview these requirements. Access here.
May I apply for and be conferred certification in legal nurse consulting if I have been practicing as a legal nurse consultant, without the need to meet the educational requirements?
Response: YES. There are three options possible for meeting the criteria for Certification:
- Completion of an official, established education program to prepare nurses for the practice of Legal Nurse Consulting. Educational programs must have provided a minimum of 60 hours of lecture/study. Candidates for certification must present valid evidence of successful completion of such program. The ACLNC review board will review and approve programs on an individual basis. Once a program is approved, it will be published as "approved" by the ACLNC. To view approved programs, click here.
Candidates whose education programs have been approved are eligible to apply for certification in Legal Nurse Consulting. Programs must be of a formal type education program of no less than 90 contact hours of education or 6 college level semester hours of credits. Programs must be specifically structured to teach theory and practice of legal nurse consulting. Paralegal programs or education do NOT apply. Candidates must also hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse.
- Certification by Reciprocity - this option allows those Legal Nurse Consultants who are currently "certified" by another professional organization or certifying body, to obtain certification status in the ACLNC without examination. The candidate bears the responsibility for submitting needed information to validate certification. Only those candidates who hold current certifications may apply for reciprocity. The certification must be as a Legal Nurse Consultant and must be current. Other types of certifications do not apply for reciprocity approval. Those applying for Certification by reciprocity must also submit to the ACLNC two letters of reference from clients who attest to their practice and make recommendation for their Certification. Candidates must also hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse.
- Certification by Practice Experience- this option allows practicing Legal Nurse Consultants to make application and be considered for certification. Candidate must minimally meet the following criteria to be considered for certification: 1). must be currently practicing at least part-time as a Legal Nurse Consultant, 2). must have practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours as a Legal Nurse Consultant over the past four-year period prior to making application, 3). must hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse, 4). must submit (with completed application) three reference letters from attorney clients who can attest to the applicant's competent practice as a legal nurse consultant, and 5) two sample case consulting reports with all identification of individuals removed.
What is the role of the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant?
To help respond to this question we have prepared a full page of information related to the role of the certified legal nurse consultant. To access: click here
Over the years, I have completed many seminars and continuing education courses related to legal nurse consulting, and/or legal issues in nursing and malpractice. Will these apply toward the education requirements for certification?
Response: Your past completed education may well qualified you as meeting the standards/criteria to apply for certification if the education content was specifically related to the practice of legal nurse consulting. Seminars on legal issues in nursing and/or nursing malpractice do not qualify for consideration. To establish approval of your past education completion it is necessary that you submit, with your completed application, verification of all completed seminars and/or courses that were directly related to legal nurse consulting. This includes college-level courses and or continuing education courses. Once received, the administrative board and staff will review all of your submissions and verifications and make the decision as to whether or not your past education achievements meets the standards and criteria for Certification. You will be notified by postal mail within 7 to 14 days regarding the decision of the acceptance or disapproval of any past education completions.
must i be a registered nurse to achieve certification ?
Response: YES. You must be a registered nurse with an active license in your state or country. The national standards for legal nurse consulting are specific to the practice of professional nursing and follow the nursing process.
has the american college of legal nurse consulting approved any education programs that qualify one to apply for Certification?
Response: Yes. the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting has reviewed and approved programs which will qualify graduates to apply for Certification. View approved programs. We continue to review programs, as requested by the academic administrator of legal nurse consulting education programs. If the program meets our standards for broad-based content in legal nurse consulting, including formal education at a minimum of hours, then we will consider approval of the program.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING THIS CERTIFICATION?
Response: There is a two-phase process. In order to provide clear and sufficient information on the process we have developed a separate page that defines the process. You may access this information on the certification process at this link: click here.
How can I make application?
Response: Making application is an easy process. We provide on this website a link to a printable application. Those wishing to make application may access this link, print out the application form, complete it, and submit it to our office for review. You may access online applications at this link. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications that are submitted must be complete and include all required documents and verifications as specified for review and consideration of certification conferral.
Once I have achieved Certification, does it ever expire?
Response: Yes. A conferred certification has a period of 4 years. At the end of the four-year period the certification will expire. The American College of Legal Nurse Consulting provides a full program for continuing status of Certification by meeting defined continuing education and practice experience. Detailed information on the criteria is provided on our website. Access here.
Are there any programs/certifications for Advanced Legal Nurse Consulting?
Response: Yes. The American College of Legal Nurse Consulting now offers a full continuing education program in "Advanced Legal Nurse Consulting" leading to Certification as an Advanced Specialist in Legal Nurse Consulting. All qualifying courses are provided by ACLNC and are provided in online classrooms. For details on the Certification program access here. For details on the qualifying courses for the advanced program access here. The Advanced continuing education courses and certification program are for those currently certified by a professional organization in legal nurse consulting.
Our organization is sponsoring a one-day seminar on the topic of legal nurse consulting. Does the American college of legal nurse consulting provide for program approvals for CEU credits?
Response: Yes. We do offer a full program for the approval of education courses, seminars, and other related learning activities related to the topic of legal nurse consulting. If an application for approval is approved, then the sponsoring organization may declare on its CEU certificates that the program has been up reviewed and approved by the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting. More information is available on our website, access here.
I am currently certified by the American college of legal nurse consulting. I know I am required to achieve additional education in legal nurse consulting in order to qualify for re-certification in the future. Does the American college of legal nurse consulting offer any continuing education courses that I may take to meet my education requirements?
Response: Yes. We do offer one online continuing education course at this time, which current certified members may register for and take, to meet their education requirements for re-certification. These courses are provided within online classrooms and are continuing education courses. Current certified members may register for these courses at any time. We also allow registered nurses who are not certified by the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting to register for and take our courses, if they so desire. You can access information on our ceu courses for legal nurse consulting at the link below.
Access information.